Owners and operators of farms with 10 or fewer base acres now have the opportunity to receive payments for the 2008 Direct and Counter-cyclical Payment Program under a Farm Bill amendment signed Oct. 13 by President George W. Bush.

Saturday

Nov 22, 2008 at 12:01 AMNov 22, 2008 at 5:00 PM

The changes and clarifications allow some producers more flexibility in farming practices and create new sign-up opportunities with new deadlines for some farms. The amendments also apply to the new Supplemental Revenue Assistance (SURE) Program.

Farmers have until Wednesday to enroll farms in the 2008 DCP program. This extension of the original Sept. 30 deadline only applies to producers who were previously excluded because of the minimum acreage requirement.

Eligible producers may sign up at any USDA Farm Service Agency office or enroll on the FSA Web site: www.fsa.usda.gov/dcp.

Under Supplemental Revenue Assistance Program changes, producers with crops that had 2009 crop insurance sales closing dates before Aug. 14, may pay a fee through Jan. 12 to participate in SURE. Producers may make their SURE participation fee payments to their local FSA office at this time. Payment of the SURE program fee will not make the producer eligible for insurance coverage.

Producers can contact their local FSA office for more information.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.